Morphology and anatomy characterization of Smilax gaudichaudiana Kunth in Vietnam

Smilax gaudichaudiana Kunt woody vine, the stem shows a clear distinction between the bark and the column, which is a unique characteristic of Smilacaceae, differing from the common features of Monocotyledoneae. A part of the rhizome of Smilax gaudichaudiana Kunth is transformed into a tuber that has medicinal properties. The leaves are glossy green, oval, egg-shaped or heart-shaped, with parallel veins and undifferentiated palisade tissue, which is suitable for dense forest conditions with low light. The roots develop strongly in the form of fibrous roots, with an anatomical structure featuring a Caspari belt that persists throughout the life of the plant. The diameter of the roots is small and hard, and the soft tissue becomes woody, helping the supporting column to be more solid. The flowers are small, gathered in umbels, unisexual, different from each other, growing in the leaf axils. The fruit is spherical, 0.8–1 cm in diameter, red-black when ripe, with 1–4 seeds.